BETHLEHEM, Pa. — A major winter storm moved into the Lehigh Valley early Sunday, prompting the full closure of Lehigh Valley International Airport and forcing Blue Mountain Resort in Palmerton to close for the day.
Forecasters say the region could see 10 to 16 inches of snow and sleet accumulations, with a wintry mix expected Sunday afternoon and evening.
The National Weather Service said 9.2 inches of snow was recorded at Lehigh Valley International Airport by 1 p.m.
A winter storm warning remains in effect until 1 p.m. Monday.
The state Department of Transportation temporarily reduced the speed limit on several interstate highways in the east central region. Commercial vehicles are prohibited from highways.
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:
- Interstate 78 in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties.
- Interstate 80 in Carbon and Monroe counties
- Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County
- Interstate 176 in Berks County
- US 22 in Lehigh and Northampton counties
- Route 33 in Monroe and Northampton counties
All LANTA services also were canceled for Sunday, and officials said they would continue to monitor the situation and will provide an update regarding Monday service as more information becomes available.
Flights grounded
Airlines operating out of Lehigh Valley International Airport reported multiple cancellations in advance of the storm.
By late Sunday morning, all flights for the day had been canceled, an announcement said on Facebook.
In addition, all Landline bus service from ABE to Philadelphia International Airport has been canceled for Sunday.
Airport officials are urging travelers to check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport on Monday.
Ski resort shuttered
Meanwhile, Blue Mountain Resort in Carbon County announced it would be closed Sunday, citing safety concerns and recommendations from state officials to limit roadway travel.
“For the safety of our guests, team members, local first responders and surrounding community we’ve made the difficult decision to close,” the resort said in a statement on Facebook.
The ski resort plans to reopen Monday at noon, with parking lots opening at 11 a.m. Guests who purchased lift tickets for Sunday will receive full refunds, while four-hour morning tickets for Monday will be valid beginning at noon.
Blue Mountain said its operations team will work throughout the storm clearing parking lots, walkways and lifts so the resort can reopen safely. The resort also plans to leave many trails ungroomed to preserve fresh snow conditions.
Dry and fluffy turned heavy and wet
Gov. Josh Shapiro issued a disaster emergency proclamation Friday. It streamlines access to funding and emergency operations in response to the storm.
According to the National Weather Service, snowfall early in the storm will be dry and fluffy, as very cold arctic air remains in place across eastern Pennsylvania. Snow ratios are expected to be relatively high during the initial phase of the storm, allowing snow to accumulate efficiently.
Much of Pennsylvania and New Jersey can expect snowfall of 1 inch-plus per hour through the late morning and early afternoon, the weather service said.
However, forecasters say snow ratios will decrease significantly from south to north as the storm continues through Sunday and Sunday night.
As warmer air aloft moves in, the snow will transition to a heavier, wetter consistency, increasing the strain on trees, power lines and plowing operations.
In areas that see a mix or changeover to sleet and freezing rain, an icy layer may form on top of the snowpack, making road and sidewalk conditions especially hazardous.
The storm will be followed by a prolonged stretch of dangerous cold, the weather service warned.
Saturday morning offered a preview of what’s to come, with wind chills dropping to -21 degrees in Mount Pocono and -10 degrees in the Lehigh Valley.
The return of very cold air is expected to begin again Monday night into Tuesday morning, followed by a cold front Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and another late Wednesday into early Thursday.
Forecasters say periods of strong, gusty winds are likely throughout the week, with gusts reaching 30 to 35 mph at times.
High temperatures are expected to remain mostly in the teens and 20s, while overnight lows fall into the single digits and several degrees below zero.
As a result, daytime wind chills will generally remain in the single digits to teens, while overnight wind chills could drop to 0 to -10 degrees across much of the region.
In areas north and west of Interstate 95 — particularly in higher elevations with deeper snowpack — wind chills could reach -10 to -25 degrees at times.
The weather service cautioned the region is facing a prolonged period of bitter cold, urging residents to limit time outdoors and take precautions to protect people, pets and property.
